The walk today was the last of eight Tea and Toast walks on the winter programme which started from Coal Aston Wesleyan Reform Church. A party of 21 led by Graham Gill set out on a 4 1/2 mile circular walk around the upper Moss Valley.
The weather was sunny with a cool breeze as we started out with some rain forecast in the afternoon. The route took in Jordanthorpe, Coal Pit Wood, Hazelbarrow Farm, Newfield Spring Wood and Bridle Road Wood before reaching the coffee stop at Dowey Lumb. Some early Bluebells were seen along the way along with Wood Anenome and Lesser Celandine. The weather was very pleasant as we had our break, with Dowey Lumb being sheltered from the breeze.
The return to Coal Aston was by paths through Cook Spring Wood and Whinacre Wood and a couple of muddy fields after the previous day’s rain. We arrived back at the church on Cross Lane at 12.40 still in sunshine. Our thanks go to Muriel and her team at the Reform Church for their hospitality throughout the winter programme – it is very much appreciated.
Views from the footpath between Cross Lane and Jordanthorpe
Innocuous though it may seem, this is where the Moss River begins in Coalpit wood, Jordanthorpe.
Passing through Cook Spring Wood near to Coal Aston
A map of the Dronfield Barn Rotary walk in excellent condition at the bottom of Birches Lane near the Village Hall in Coal Aston